Method and apparatus for applying a touch film to a compound curved surface

ABSTRACT

A method of applying a touch film to a rigid surface having a compound curvature includes applying a transparent pressure sensitive adhesive to a facing surface of a touch film, placing the facing surface against the rigid surface, and rolling a roller over the touch film with enough pressure to activate the pressure sensitive adhesive and adhere the touch film to the rigid surface. The roller has an exterior layer of low durometer material to conform to the compound curvature of the rigid surface and to minimize damage to components on the touch film.

BACKGROUND

A domestic laundry appliance typically has a cabinet including a front panel with an access opening through which clothes are loaded and unloaded into a treating chamber. A door is movably mounted to the cabinet to selectively close the opening to the treating chamber. The door assembly usually consists of multiple layers of assembly to support various parts such as a transparent viewing window, a hinge assembly, and a latch assembly. Combining different parts of the door assembly may require the use of various mechanical fasteners.

BRIEF SUMMARY

One aspect of the invention relates to a method of applying a touch film to a rigid surface having a compound curvature. The method includes applying a transparent pressure sensitive adhesive to a facing surface of a touch film, placing the facing surface against the rigid surface, rolling a roller over the touch film; and activating the pressure sensitive adhesive to adhere the touch film to the rigid surface. The roller has a soft exterior layer of low durometer material to conform to the compound curvature of the rigid surface.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a roller for applying a touch film to a rigid surface having a compound curvature. The roller includes a handle with pair of forked arms at a distal end, an axle extending between the forked arms, a hub disposed on the axle, and an exterior layer of low durometer material disposed on the hub.

Another aspect of the invention relates to an appliance having a door with an interior surface having a compound curvature, and a section thereof configured to enable viewing a user interface on the interior surface through the door. The user interface includes a touch film adhered to the interior surface by application of a roller to activate a pressure sensitive adhesive between the touch film and the interior surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a horizontal axis automatic clothes washing machine incorporating aspects of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a portion of the horizontal axis automatic clothes washing machine of FIG. 1 with the door in an open position.

FIG. 3 is an exploded, perspective view of an assembly of the washing machine door of FIG. 2 with alternative parts for the application of a dryer door.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart depicting a method of assembling the laundry appliance door of FIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 5 is a front view of an inner door assembly of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a horizontal cross section of the inner door assembly of FIG. 5

FIG. 7 is a front view of an intermediate door assembly with an intermediate door frame bonded to the inner door assembly of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a rear view of the intermediate door assembly of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a rear view of the intermediate door assembly with hinge and handle covers adhesively attached to the inner door frame hiding any visible mechanical fasteners.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view depicting the application of a touch film with a roller apparatus of low durometer.

FIG. 11 is an exploded, perspective view of the roller assembly.

FIG. 12 is a front view of the completed door assembly with a trim ring adhesively bonded to the peripheral edge of the outer door screen and intermediate door frame.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 and 2 show views of a laundry treating appliance of the type incorporating aspects of the invention in the environment of a horizontal axis automatic clothes washing machine 10. Although much of the remainder of this application will focus on the embodiment of an automatic clothes washing machine, aspects of the invention may have utility in other environments, including other horizontal axis laundry treating appliances such as a laundry dryer or other front loading appliances. Depending on the configuration, it is possible for the embodiments to have applicability in vertical axis washing machines and other appliances having a hinged door with access to a treating chamber.

The laundry treating appliance shares many features of a conventional automated clothes washer and dryer, which will not be described in detail herein except as necessary for a complete understanding of the illustrative embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure. The laundry treating appliance of FIGS. 1 and 2 is illustrated as a horizontal axis washing machine 10, which may include a structural support system comprising a cabinet 12 which defines a housing within which a laundry holding system resides. The cabinet 12 may be a housing having a chassis and/or a frame, defining an interior enclosing components typically found in a conventional washing machine, such as motors, pumps, fluid lines, controls, sensors, transducers, and the like. Such components will not be described further herein except as necessary for a complete understanding of the invention.

The laundry holding system may include a rotatable drum 16 supported within the cabinet 12 by a suitable suspension system and defining at least a portion of a laundry treating chamber 18 for receiving the laundry and which rotates about a generally horizontal axis. The drum 16 is configured to receive a laundry load comprising articles for treatment, including, but not limited to, a hat, a scarf, a glove, a sweater, a blouse, a shirt, a pair of shorts, a dress, a sock, and a pair of pants, a shoe, an undergarment, and a jacket. An opening 22 in the cabinet 12 provides access to the laundry treating chamber 18.

The laundry holding system may further include a door 24 which may be movably mounted to the cabinet 12 to selectively close the opening 22 to the treating chamber 18. The door 24 has a handle 62 for pivotally opening the door about a hinge 64. The door 24 may further include an integrated user interface 30 comprising a touch film 140, a liquid crystal display 34, and a user interface controller 32. While the user interface 30 is illustrated as a touch control panel, the user interface can be any form of Human Machine Interface such as but not limited to a set of mechanical buttons or mechanical knobs for controlling the operation of the laundry treating appliance. FIG. 1 shows the door 24 in a closed position and FIG. 2 shows the door 24 in an open position. As shown in these figures, both front and rear surfaces of the door 24 have minimal visible fasteners as they are constructed with an adhesively bonded assembly process. In accordance with the present invention, the assembly of the door 24 will be described in detail with references to FIGS. 3 through 12.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of an assembly 60 for the door 24 along with alternative parts for a dryer door assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that majority of these parts are interchangeable for both washer and dryer door assembly. The present invention is not in any way limited to the specific details of these variations. The purpose of these alternative parts is to show the flexibility of design to achieve a specific utility while still maintaining the ease of assembly and minimal visible fasteners. A method of assembling the door assembly 60 in FIG. 3 is broken down into several steps as illustrated in FIG. 4.

In FIG. 3, the door assembly 60 is shown to comprise an inner door subassembly 66, an intermediate door subassembly 67, and an outer door screen 68.

FIGS. 3, 5 and 6 illustrate the inner door subassembly 66. The inner door subassembly 66 comprises an inner door frame 70 a. The inner door frame 70 a is made from steel or stainless steel material. The inner door frame 70 a comprises a first central opening 81 that defines a circular window seat portion 80. The inner door frame 70 a further comprises two identical horizontally disposed or alternate hinge seat portions 76 and an aperture 77 on the upper portion of the inner door frame 70 a to allow access to a user interface controller 32. The identical hinge seat portions 76 are designed for ease of assembly of a door with inverse hinge position. As shown in FIG. 3 an alternative variance to the inner door frame 70 b for a laundry dryer is shown. Minor differences such as the hinge seat portions and central opening of the dryer inner door frame 70 b are designed to accommodate the variation of door latches and window unit to be used to meet a specific utility.

The inner door subassembly 66 further comprises an inner window 82 a and b. The inner window 82 a may be a plastic bowl piece which is circular in shape. In alternative embodiments such as in the application for a dryer door assembly, the inner window 82 b may be constructed of a glass material with a flat structure. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the inner window 82 a has a bowl shape structure configured in such a way that its lower portion protrudes into the drum. The inner window 82 a comprises a peripheral flange 83 that is adapted to overlay the circular window seat portion 80 of the inner door frame 70 a. The inner window 82 a is adapted to be seated within the window seat portion 80 of the inner door frame 70 a so as to extend across the first central opening 81. A gasket 72 is attached to the inner door frame 70 a using adhesives. The gasket 72 is utilized to create a waterproof seal and reduce sound generated from the point of contact between the peripheral flange 83 of the inner window 82 a and the circular window seat portion 80 of the inner door frame 70 a.

Continuing with FIGS. 3 and 5, the inner door assembly 66 further comprises two glass clamps 90 a that are mechanically fastened to the inner door frame 70 a with screws 73 to lock the inner window 82 a in place in the window seat portion 80. The variation of glass clamps 90 b for laundry dryer shown in FIG. 3 is designed to accommodate the varying diameter of the inner window 82 b for the inner door assembly. Each of the glass clamps 90 a has a collar 92 that is adapted to overlay the peripheral flange 83 of the inner window 82 a. When the glass clamps 90 a are secured to the inner door frame 70 a, the collar 92 of each glass clamp 90 a exerts pressure on the peripheral flange 83 of the inner window 82 a and locks the inner window 82 a in place in the window seat portion 80. As the glass clamps 90 a are secured to the two horizontally disposed or alternate hinge seat portions 76 on the inner door frame 70 a, each glass clamp 90 a can be used interchangeably with the other to secure the inner window 82 a to the inner door frame 70 a. In an alternative embodiment, the inner window 82 a and b may be adhesively bonded to the receiving element within the inner door subassembly 66. In this configuration, an adhesively bonded inner window 82 a and b will eliminate the need for a gasket 72 and clamps 90 a and b to secure the inner window 82 a and b. Referring now to FIGS. 3, 5 and 6, the inner door subassembly 66 further comprises a hinge 64 and a door hook 116. The hinge 64 comprises of two symmetrical hinge plates 64 a, 64 b pivotable relative to each other about a hinge axis. The hinge plate 64 a is secured to the inner door frame 70 a by screws 75 that thread into the openings in the hinge plate 64 a and through corresponding openings in the hinge seat portions 76 of the inner door frame 70 a overlaying one of the glass clamps 90 a. The hinge plate 64 a can be secured in either one of the horizontally disposed hinged seat portions 76 of the inner door support frame 70 a depending on the door configuration to open either from the left or right side. In an alternative embodiment, the hinge plate 64 a may be adhesively bonded to the hinged seat portions 76. The hinge 64 further includes a wiring harness 65 comprising a tubular wiring protector 65 a and a wiring base 65 b coaxially connected together and rotatable with respect to one another. In FIG. 5, the hinge 64 with integrated wiring harness 65 fastened to the inner door frame 70 a is shown. The tubular wiring protector 65 a is fixed on the hinge plate 64 a, and hinge wiring base 65 b fixed on hinge plate 64 b, with a portion of the tubular wiring protector 65 a inserted into a port of the wiring base 65 b to coaxially connect the tubular wiring protector 65 a and wiring base 65 b independently of the hinge plates 64 a and 64 b, yet within alignment of the hinge 64 axis of rotation. A wiring assembly (not shown) passes through the tubular wiring protector 65 a and the hinge wiring base 65 b to protect the wiring assembly within the hinge axis of the hinge 64 where wiring has a tendency to get pulled and damaged when the door 24 is in motion. The hinge 64 and wiring harness 65 may be used in both washer and dryer door assembly. It is within the scope of an embodiment to adhere the peripheral flange 83 to the inner door frame 70 a, thereby possibly omitting a need for the glass clamps 90 in the inner door subassembly 66.

Looking again also at FIG. 6, the door hook 116 comprises a rectangular plate 115 and a hanging portion 117 with an inclined surface to guide insertion of the hook 116 in and out of a latch body (not shown) attached to a front panel in the cabinet 12 of the laundry treating appliance. As seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, the door hook 116 is mechanically fastened by screws 85 that pass through the openings in the rectangular plate 115 and into corresponding openings in the other one of the horizontally disposed hinged seat portions 76 of the inner door frame 70 a. The hanging portion 117 passes through the front of the inner door frame 70 and protrudes from the rear face of the inner door frame 70 a.

The intermediate door subassembly 67 is shown in FIGS. 3, 7 and 8. The intermediate door subassembly 67 comprises a single piece injection molded intermediate door frame 69 a adhered to the front face of the inner door subassembly 66. Variance of the intermediate door frame 69 b shown in FIG. 3 reflects the difference in the size and shape of the central opening that is customizable to match the dimension of the inner door subassembly 66. Front and rear views of the intermediate door subassembly 67 adhered to the inner door subassembly 66 are illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, respectively. The intermediate door frame 69 comprises a second central opening 101 overlaying the first central opening 81 and a smaller rectangular aperture 107 overlaying the aperture 77 on the upper portion of the inner door frame 70 a. The intermediate door frame 69 is surrounded by peripheral shelf like ridges 71 extending radially from the circumference of the intermediate door frame 69.

In the present embodiment, the smaller rectangular aperture 107 in the intermediate door frame 69 is sized to fit a liquid crystal display 34 embedded with the user interface controller 32. Additional openings and wiring paths within the intermediate door frame 69 may be added to accommodate additional wiring from devices or sensors such as but not limited to a wifi receiver or a proximity sensor integrated to the door assembly 60. As shown in FIG. 8, the smaller rectangular aperture 107 can be seen through the aperture 77 of the inner door frame 70 a along with a user interface controller seating portion 108. The user interface controller 32 can be mechanically fastened to the seating portion 108 through the aperture 77 with screws 79 and exposing the liquid crystal display 34 through the smaller rectangular aperture 107. The wiring assembly extending from the tubular wiring protector 65 a of the wiring harness assembly 65 can be connected to the back of the user interface controller 32 once secured to the seating portion 108.

As shown in FIG. 9, a user interface cover 112, a hinge cover 113, and a handle cover 114 are used to cover the mechanical fasteners 73, 75, 85, and 79 on the rear face of the inner door frame 70 a to provide the intermediate door subassembly 67 with a clean finish. The user interface cover plate 112 is removably attached, such as by snap fit, to the rear face of the inner door frame 70 a to cover the aperture 77 where the back of the user interface controller 32 is exposed. This also allows ease of access for the purpose of maintenance or replacement of the user interface controller 32. The hinge cover 113 is adhesively bonded to the rear face of the inner door frame 70 a to cover the exposed mechanical fasteners 73 and 75 on the hinge seat portion 76 where the hinge plate 64 a and clamps 90 a are secured. The handle cover 114 is adhesively bonded to the rear face of the inner door frame 70 a to cover the exposed mechanical fasteners 73 and 85 on the hinge seat portion 76 where the clamps 90 a and door hook 116 are secured.

The door assembly 60 further includes an outer door screen 68 shown best in FIGS. 3 and 10. The outer door screen 68 comprises a circular window 118 with a slight outwardly convex central portion surrounded by peripheral ring-like flange 119. The circular window 118 may be made of a transparent plastic material. As seen in FIG. 10, the outer door screen 68 further comprises a touch film 140 attached to the upper inner surface of the circular window 118. The touch film 140 comprises an integrated flexible printed circuit board with touch buttons 141 and a pressure sensitive adhesive located on a facing surface of the touch film 140.

To attach the film 140, the facing surface of the touch film 140 is placed against the upper rear surface of the circular window 118 and uniform pressure is applied by rolling a roller apparatus 142 over the touch film 140 with enough pressure to activate the pressure sensitive adhesive.

As shown in FIG. 11, the roller comprises a handle 144 with a pair of forked arms 146 at a distal end, an axle 148 extending between the forked arms and a hub 150 disposed on the axle. The roller apparatus 142 has an exterior layer 152 of low durometer material disposed on the hub 150 with enough flexibility to conform to the compound curvature of the circular window 118, enough strength to activate the pressure sensitive adhesive, while also minimizing damage to components on the touch film 140. The durometer of the exterior layer 152 is preferably in the range of 28A to 40A, according to the ASTM D2240 standard. The roller apparatus 142 is wider than the touch film 140 so that the rolling process can be done in a single pass to ensure uniform adhesion and to retain proper function of the touch screen.

To complete the outer door screen 68, a button indicator film (not shown) that corresponds to the touch buttons 141 on the touch film 140 may be attached to the outer surface of the circular window 118 overlaying the position of the touch film 140 to improve visibility. A final protective film is then used to coat the overall outer surface of the circular window 118 for a smooth and clean surface appearance.

Referring now to FIG. 12, the inner surface of the outer door screen 68 is adhesively attached to the external surface of the intermediate door frame 69 of the intermediate door subassembly 67. A trim ring 120 may be adhesively bonded to the external periphery of the door assembly 60. The trim ring 120 is in the form of a peripheral flange 122 comprising a ring flange with a central opening 124. When bonding the trim ring 120 to the door assembly 60, the peripheral ring-like flange 119 of the circular window 118 is nested and adhesively bonded into the peripheral flange 122 of the trim ring 120. The trim ring 120 also has a rim 126 that extends axially from the external circumference of the peripheral flange 122. The inner periphery of the rim 126 is provided with an alternating shelf like ridges 128 that match the peripheral shelf like ridges 71 of the intermediate door frame 69 (see FIG. 3). When bonding the trim ring 120 to the door assembly 60, the matching shelf like ridges 128 and 71 will create a stronger adhesive bond. This completes the door assembly 60 with a smooth finish. In an alternative embodiment, the trim ring 120 can be integrated to the outer door screen 68 into a single subassembly.

FIG. 4 depicts a method and preferred order of making the door assembly 60. The method includes assembling the inner door subassembly 66, adhering an intermediate door frame 69 to the inner door subassembly 66 with glue to form the intermediate door subassembly 67, affixing a user interface controller 32 to the intermediate door frame 69 through an aperture 77 in the inner door subassembly 66, applying the touch film 140 to an inner surface of the outer door screen 68 with an adhesive, and adhering the inner surface of the outer door screen 68 to the intermediate door subassembly 67 with glue.

The assembly of the inner door subassembly 66 begins with adhesively attaching the gasket 72 to the peripheral window seat portion 80 with glue and aligning the inner window 82 a to seat within the window seat portion 80 so as to extend across the first central opening 81. In this position, the peripheral flange 83 of the inner window 82 a will be overlaying the gasket 72 to create a waterproof connection. As shown in FIG. 5, clamps 90 a are mechanically fastened to the hinge seat portion 76 of the inner door frame 70 a with screws to apply a locking pressure to the peripheral flange 83 of the inner window through the clamp collars 92. To complete the inner door subassembly 66, the hinge 64 with integrated wiring harness 65 and the door hook 116 are mechanically fastened to each of the hinge seat portion 76 of the inner door frame 70 a overlaying each of the clamps 90 a. The hinge cover 113 and handle cover 114 are adhesively attached to cover the visible fasteners 73, 75, 85, and 79 on the rear face of the inner door assembly 66.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the intermediate door frame 69 is then adhered to the front surface of the inner door subassembly 66 with glue to form the intermediate door subassembly. The user interface controller 32 can be fastened to the seating portion 108 on the rear face of the intermediate door frame 67 through the aperture 77 (see FIG. 8) with screws 79. This will also expose the liquid crystal display 34 through the smaller rectangular aperture 107 of the intermediate door frame 69.

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, the touch film 140 is attached to the upper inner surface of the circular window 118 with the roller apparatus 142 as part of the user interface 30 (see FIG. 1). To complete the door assembly 60, the inner surface of the outer door screen 68 is adhesively attached to the external surface of the intermediate door frame 69 of the intermediate door subassembly 67. The trim ring 120 is then adhesively bonded to the external periphery of the door assembly 60 to create a smooth finish. The user interface cover 112 can be removably attached to the rear face of the inner door assembly 66 to cover the exposed user interface controller 32 after the necessary wiring connections have been established. In an alternative embodiment, the user interface controller 32 can be integrated to the user interface cover 112 to eliminate a separate assembly steps and still allow easy access to the user interface controller 32. The touch film 140 may comprise a PCB adhered to the circular window 118 to provide the user interface function. The trim ring 120 may be incorporated with the outer door screen 68 as part of a full A-surface decoration.

The adhesively bonded assembly process hides all visible mechanical fasteners 73, 75, 85, and 79 on the external surface of the door assembly 60 and creates an aesthetically smooth appearance. By adhesively bonding the single piece injection molded intermediate door frame 69 to the front of the inner door subassembly 66, mechanical fasteners 73, 75 used to mount the hinge plate 64 a and glass clamps 90 a are hidden from the front view (see FIG. 7). Furthermore, by adhesively bonding the handle cover 144 and hinge cover 113 to the back of the inner door frame 70 a, all mechanical fasteners 73, 75, 85, and 79 visible on the back of the door assembly 60 are hidden from view (see FIG. 9).

The front surface of the intermediate door frame 69 also facilitates a bonding surface for adhesively attaching the outer door screen 68 to the intermediate door subassembly 67 without the use of mechanical fasteners. The apertures 77 and 107 from the intermediate door subassembly 67 along with the wiring harness assembly 65 enable an effective integration of the user interface 30 into the door assembly 60. Furthermore, the removable user interface cover plate 112 allow ease of access to the user interface controller 32 while maintaining an aesthetically smooth appearance. The circular window 118 can be combined with the intermediate door frame 69, utilizing a full A-surface decoration for the circular window 118, thus creating both the user interface as well as a structure to mount the HMI controller, and bonded interface detail with the inner door subassembly 66. As well, the inner door frame 70 a may include component interface details common for both washer and dryer door interfaces, thus permitting re-use of hinge 64 and wiring harness 65 between the washer and dryer doors. It will be understood that the inner door frame 70 a may be made common for washer and dryer door assemblies. Further, the circular window 118 and the user interface controller 32 can be configured to support the use of a mechanical knob for cycle selection and/or mechanical buttons. Yet further, a WI-FI antenna may be mounted into the door assembly 60.

Although the embodiment of the present invention have been shown and described, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of applying a touch film to a rigid surface having a compound curvature, the method comprising: applying a transparent pressure sensitive adhesive to a facing surface of a touch film; placing the facing surface against the rigid surface; rolling a roller over the touch film; and activating the pressure sensitive adhesive to adhere the touch film to the rigid surface; wherein the roller has an exterior layer of low durometer material to conform to the compound curvature of the rigid surface.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the components on the touch film includes at least one of a transparent touch film, a flexible printed circuit board (PCB) with touch buttons, or traces.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein the rolling is done by hand.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein the durometer is in a range of 28A to 40A.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein the roller is wider than the touch film so the rolling can be done in one pass.
 6. The method of claim 1 wherein the rigid surface is convex.
 7. A roller for applying a touch film to a rigid surface having a compound curvature, the roller comprising: a handle with a pair of forked arms at a distal end; an axle extending between the forked arms; a hub disposed on the axle; and an exterior layer of low durometer material disposed on the hub.
 8. The roller of claim 7 wherein the durometer of the low durometer material enables the low durometer material to conform to the compound curvature of the rigid surface.
 9. The roller of claim 8 wherein the durometer of the low durometer material is in a range of 28A to 40A.
 10. The roller of claim 7 wherein a width of the hub and the exterior layer on the axle is larger than a width of a touch film to be applied to the rigid surface.
 11. An appliance comprising: a door with an interior surface having a compound curvature, a section thereof configured to enable viewing a user interface on the interior surface through the door; wherein the user interface includes a touch film adhered to the interior surface by application of a roller to activate a pressure sensitive adhesive between the touch film and the interior surface.
 12. The appliance of claim 11 wherein the pressure sensitive adhesive is on the touch film before rolling.
 13. The appliance of claim 11 wherein the touch film includes at least one of a transparent touch film, a flexible printed circuit board (PCB) with touch buttons, or traces.
 14. The appliance of claim 11 wherein the user interface includes a liquid crystal display positioned on the touch film to be viewable through the touch film and connected to traces on the touch film.
 15. The appliance of claim 11 wherein the interior surface is convex.
 16. The appliance of claim 11 wherein the roller has an exterior layer of low durometer material to conform to the compound curvature of the interior surface.
 17. The appliance of claim 11 wherein the durometer of the low durometer material is in a range of 28A to 40A. 